FMCC partners with Macau Deaf Association for this year’s annual gala 

The France Macau Chamber of Commerce (FMCC) is set to host its 17th annual gala late next month when it brings the red-carpet atmosphere reminiscent of the French Riviera to the MGM Macau ballroom. 

Under the theme “Cannes: Le Festival,” the annual fundraising event has selected the Macau Deaf Association (MDA) as this year’s community partner, underscoring the chamber’s commitment to fostering social inclusion. Founded in 1994, the non-profit organisation operates two affiliated centres offering numerous social services, including lifelong education, employment assistance, and sign language interpretation.

Proceeds from the gala will support the MDA’s Monday Sign Language Channel project, which raises public awareness of hearing-impaired communities and creates opportunities for deaf youth to showcase their talents on camera.

Yesterday’s announcement between the FMCC and MDA coincides with both the International Week of Deaf People and the International Day of Sign Languages on September 23, a global campaign dedicated to advocating for the rights, culture, and achievements of deaf individuals worldwide.

“Beyond commercial and cultural exchanges, we want our members to engage with the real Macao,” said FMCC Chairman Rutger Verschuren, adding that it’s about building a business community that continues to give back to Macao.

[See more: Is Macao as deaf-friendly as it could be?]

With over 300 business and community leaders from Macao and across the Greater Bay Area expected to attend this year’s gala, the evening will also feature the 4th edition of the Macau ESG Awards, celebrating exceptional development projects in the categories of Best Project, Best SME, and Best NGO.

Against the backdrop of more than six decades of Sino-French diplomatic relations, the FMCC schedules over 40 events annually, ranging from gala dinners to training seminars and corporate visits. These initiatives foster strategic connections while equipping businesses across Macao, the Greater Bay Area (GBA), and France with vital market insights.

This year’s soirée builds on the 2025 fundraiser, which directed financial support toward the Macau Special Olympics and the Zhuhai Autism Society for the FMCC Hengqin-Macau Inclusive Fun Day project, a pioneering cross-border initiative sought to increase neurodiversity inclusion by bringing together families from Zhuhai and Macau. 

The FMCC Annual Charity Gala will be held on 30 October. More information is available here.