By Aabigayle McIntosh

The People’s Republic of China has continued to offer support towards Antigua and Barbuda’s hosting of the Small Island Developing States (SIDS4” conference.

The most recent donation is to the tune of almost US$1 million, about half of the budget that will bring thousands of delegates to the twin island destination.

Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff Lionel Hurst said this demonstrates China’s commitment to the development of this country.

“They are going to provide the sound equipment and a lot of things that for the new building that AUA is constructing, that building can hold safely 15 hundred seated delegates and there will be about 5,00 delegates here in Antigua.

“We know that we have to have other kinds of accommodations available to enable this conference to be a success,” Hurst said.

Work is ongoing at AUA to construct the facility for the conference. Hurst says the government is doing its part to ensure a successful conference. Volunteers will also be recruited to assist in this endeavor.

The International community will gather here in May to review SIDS’ sustainable development progress and propose a new decade of partnerships and solutions to supercharge their path to resilient prosperity.