An organisation has been launched in a bid to build new links between Bradford's diverse business communities.

The Anglo-Asian Business Association hopes to encourage fresh opportunities for Asian youngsters to build careers in traditionally white-dominated professions and trades.

And it is also hoping to create fresh dialogue and encourage firms from different backgrounds to share best practice.

Today chief executive Dayal Sharma and chairman Barry Whitaker said all of Bradford's businesses should be working in partnership to improve the economic lot of the city.

"We want to develop a culture where Asian and white businesses come together rather than alienate each other," explained Mr Sharma, who has been a prominent businessman in Bradford for many years.

"At the end of the day, we want to create a culture where there is a common identity of us all being British busi- nesses.

"We have done a lot of research and felt that the time has come to come together."

The group proposes to hold seminars, lectures and breakfast meetings which would encourage white and Asian businesses to exchange views and experiences.

Mr Whitaker, chief executive of textile machinery business Allertex, said: "We felt that more could possibly be done to help Asian youngsters in particular who often only see their futures in terms of employment with Asian-owned, and often family-run businesses.

"We thought it would be good to do something to encourage them to broaden their horizons and look outside their local communities.

"For example, lots of Asian law graduates immediately go to Asian law firms. There's nothing wrong with that, but it is about opening doors for them if they want to work for non-Asian companies."

Mr Sharma, who recently completed a major project to help improve environmental awareness among small Asian businesses, said he hoped the association would also help promote awareness of international trade with Asia.

Bradford Chamber of Commerce president Roland Clark said he applauded the goals of the association.

"Bradford is a cosmopolitan city and anything that helps the different constituent parts to better understand each other should be welcomed," he said.

"Every sector of the community has its strengths and weaknesses, so if we can all build on each other's strengths, we will be very powerful."

For more information about the Anglo-Asian Business Association, call (01274) 772106.