YANGON, Mar 16 : With a view to boost bilateral ties between India and Myan- mar, Manipur-11 and Myan-mar-11 would be playing friendly football matches including a match for veterans.

As a part of the car rally from Guwahati to Yangon which is being organised by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, the State Government and the North East Federation of International Trade, the team from Manipur held a meeting with Sports Minister and Commerce Director General of Myanmar yesterday.

During the meeting, State officials made the proposal for friendly football matches between Manipur-11 and Myanmar.

The proposal was accepted most heartily by the Myanmarese officials, said Tourism Commissioner KK Chhetry who is leading the Indian team.

The proposed football matches may be played either at Imphal or Myanmar.Other proposals of the Indian team which were well appreciated by the Myan-marese authorities were normalising the trans-border trade between the two countries and opening of an immigration office for Myanmar at Imphal.

Another agenda of the meeting was banking and introduction of letter of credit between the two countries.

Apart from deliberating on promotion of sports tourism between the two countries, the Myanmarese officials put up a proposal for facilitating movement of Myanmarese pilgrims to Bodh Gaya through Manipur.

Prof Priyoranjan of Economics Department, MU said that there are many areas where Manipur and Myanmar may engage in cross-border trade but there are very few traders in Manipur.

There is a need to promote local traders who number around 20,000 at present so that they can take their business to international level.

The Indian car rally team who numbers 64 and included officials and entrepreneurs reached Yangon today. They would hold a meeting with the Indian Ambassador to Myanmar tomorrow.