By Aabigayle McIntosh

Plans are progressing smoothly for Antigua and Barbuda’s hosting of the SIDS 4 conference next year; the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has confirmed.

With a proposed budget of US$6 million, pledges have already come in from larger countries.

Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff Lionel Hurst said this does cover the build-out of a conference center at the host venue the American University of Antigua (AUA).

“AUA intends to use it afterward for all sorts of conferences and so on, so it is their infrastructure on their property and they are doing a great honor to the Government and People of Antigua and Barbuda by bearing the expenses connected to building it,” Hurst said.

The People’s Republic of China has agreed to provide specific support.

“Our Chinese friends have already agreed to provide the electronic equipment that would be required. When you have so many people present, each must have a seat and a microphone connected. The Chinese are going to provide them to us as a gift, in turn, we will gift them to AUA so they can continue to be utilized,” Hurst said.

More than 5,000 delegates are expected to be on the island for the May 27^th to 30^th event.