To help owners of small businesses - for example, stallholders - cope with contingencies, such as a fire, perhaps an emergency loan fund could be set up ("Make fire insurance mandatory for small businesses" by Mr Lim Tong Wah; Oct 18).

The fund can be jointly administered by a relevant authority and the town council in charge of the area where the stall is located.

In the event of an unforeseen setback, a loan can be approved at short notice, and the funds released to the borrower.

An affordable monthly repayment can be worked out once the borrower is back in business.

Mak Seck Hong