The 15th Ministerial Meeting of Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) was concluded at Kathmandu today. <br/><br/>In a joint statement issued after the meeting the members agreed to intensify their collaborative efforts to realise the aims and purposes of the group embodied therein and pledged to make BIMSTEC stronger, more effective and result oriented. <br/><br/>The members also reaffirmed commitment to intensify their efforts to realise the directives outlined and the Agenda of Action as agreed by the Leaders during the Goa Retreat in 2016. <br/><br/>They agreed to emphasise the need for greater cooperation in trade and investment in order to deepen regional integration in the Bay of Bengal region. <br/><br/>The members also recognised paramount importance of early conclusion of BIMSTEC Free Trade Area. The Trade Negotiating Committee and Working Groups were directed to expedite the finalization of its constituent Agreements. <br/><br/>The members also urged authorities for early finalisation of the BIMSTEC Trade Facilitation Agreement and BIMSTEC Agreement on Mutual Assistance on Customs Matters. <br/><br/>The foreign ministers expressed satisfaction that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Establishment of the BIMSTEC Grid Interconnection is ready for signature. They also welcomed launch of BIMSTEC Tele-medicine Network by JIPMER India to strengthen collaboration among premier medical institutions in the region. <br/><br/>They reiterated strong commitment of their leaders to combat terrorism, which remains the single most significant threat to peace and stability of the region. The members agreed to take concrete measures to step up cooperation and coordination among our law enforcement, intelligence and security organisations. <br/><br/>They also expressed gratitude to the Government of India for hosting the First Annual Meeting of the National Security Chiefs in New Delhi on 21 March 2017. The members expressed satisfaction on activities and commemorative events undertaken so far to celebrate the Twentieth Anniversary of the establishment of the BIMSTEC. <br/><br/>The leaders of delegation of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand expressed their profound appreciation to the Government of Nepal for the warm hospitality and excellent arrangements made for the meeting. <br/><br/>The statement said that ministers look forward to meeting in Nepal for the Sixteenth Ministerial Meeting and the Fourth BIMSTEC Summit.