Located at the Grand Building on Trafalgar Square, the centre places agencies such as Contact Singapore, the Economic Development Board, International Enterprise Singapore, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore and Singapore Tourism Board under one roof.

The consolidation of the government agencies in the Singapore Centre offers a one-stop shop concept to those with multiple dealings with the various agencies, said a Ministry of Trade and Industry statement.

Yearly savings of £44,000 (S$134,000) in rental as well as lower operating costs are expected with the consolidation, it said.

'This consolidation of the various agencies under one roof will provide Singaporeans living in London, businesses looking for opportunities in Singapore, and Londoners hoping to visit Singapore a one-stop service to gain quick and seamless access to the Singapore government services they desire,' said Minister for Trade and Industry Lim Hng Kiang when he opened the centre yesterday.

'The centre represents a whole new paradigm for projecting the Singapore Brand internationally. I am confident that with co-location of the Singapore overseas offices, we will be able to achieve greater synergy, closer cooperation and collaboration as a networked government,' he said.

Singapore Centres have already been set up in Guangzhou, Chengdu and Los Angeles.

The next one will be opened in Dubai next year.