THE first Indian president of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce has urged the city's communities to leave their 'comfort zones' and work together to create a 'coalition of culture.'

Speaking at the Chamber's annual dinner on Monday, Anil Ruia said Manchester must once again unite as it did during the Commonwealth Games to create a city of enterprise for all.

In a challenging address to more than 550 guests attending the glittering event at The Midland Hotel, Mr Ruia said too often the diverse communities which make-up society define themselves by traditional and narrow examples of 'enterprise' and remain in their 'comfort zones'.

'If like me you're concerned with the city's bottom line then the barriers that exits in our minds, schools and colleges must be conquered,' said Mr Ruia. 'No single community has a monopoly on good ideas and by not working together we squeeze the blood out of enterprise.'

'We must now encourage a new coalition so we can find and harness ideas and enterprise which exists within our Indian, Asian, black-African, Caribbean, Chinese and other communities.'

He added that to achieve a 'coalition of cultures' change is required and it is essential the shackles which exist should be remove to allow enterprise and competition to flourish.

'But we must get beyond marketing speak and simple slogans. We need to encourage new finds - small, medium and large to assist in the ambition to create this coalition of culture.

'Our differences are out strengths. We can main and respect our traditions. But they can be the springboard from which we can find those new meeting points where we can combine to nurture. One enterprise culture on our enterprise city.

Mr Ruia also spoke of his joy at becoming the first Asian president of the Manchester Chamber.

'You can't imagine the pride it gives me to stand in front of as the first Indian to be your president in the chamber's 209 year history," he revealed.

"And if we succeed in breaking down the barriers in a few short years the chamber members will be welcoming their first black president, our second Indian president or by a second woman president and nobody will think to mention it.

'If we do that then we will know that in 2002 Manchester really did win the games.'

Also speaking at the dinner was veteran political editor John Sergeant who entertained the audience with anecdotes from his distinguished career.

He revealed that in his opinion was 'the worst politician had ever worked with' was Norman Lamont and said he expected the under fire Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith to survive until the next election.

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