The current minimum age of contractual capacity is tied to the age of majority, which is 21 years in Singapore.

This legal barrier has prevented young people from starting or doing their own business.

The Pro-Enterprise Panel has received feedback for this to be removed.

'The Government agrees that the current laws place unnecessary restriction on young people wishing to undertake business, and should be revised as part of the boarder efforts to support an entrepreneurial society,' said a joint statement from the ministries of finance and law on Monday when they released a consultation paper on a draft Civl Law (Amendment) Bill 2008 for public views.

'After a careful study, the Ministry of Finance has proposed delinking the age of majority from the age of contractual capacity and to reduce the age of contractual capacity from 21 years to 18 years.'

Consequntial amendments to a number of other affected acts will be needed to give effect to the proposal.

The public can give their views to the consultation paper and draft Civil Law at http://app.reach.govt.sg/olcp/asp/ocp01d1.asp?id=4944