Mumbai, Dec 11 (PTI) Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday pegged the Kolhapuri chappal exports to be a USD 1-billion per year opportunity.

The comments came a day after Italian fashion house Prada signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with two government-run corporations on a project to celebrate Indian craftsmanship in a limited edition, Kolhapuri chappal-inspired sandals to be made in India.

A few months ago, Prada was panned after it was discovered that some of its designs were inspired by the traditional Kolhapuri chappals of western Maharashtra and no credit was given to artisans. The fashion house rushed teams to India after the uproar.

Goyal told reporters that he is very happy for the collaboration between Prada and Kolhapuri chappal manufacturers, and added that Maharashtra's footwear has the potential to be a global brand.

"I had always envisaged Kolhapuri chappals to be able to do an export of USD 1 billion from India. And that's the potential that I would like both sides to collaborate and work towards," he added.

The city-born Union minister said he used to wear Kolhapuri chappals during his childhood and added that once someone gets used to the leather footwear, they do not try anything else.

The Italian fashion major's Kolhapuri sandal collection is slated for a February 2026 debut across 40 select stores of Prada and its e-commerce platform.

Prada signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the Consulate General of Italy in Mumbai on Wednesday with LIDCOM (Sant Rohidas Leather Industries and Charmakar Development Corporation) and LIDKAR (Babu Jagjivan Ram Leather Industries Development Corporation) for its work on the Kolhapuri chappal.

The signing, done on the eve of Italian Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani's Mumbai visit, will result in a limited edition sandal collection that will be manufactured in India in collaboration with skilled artisans from Maharashtra and Karnataka, a statement said.

"Combining traditional techniques with Prada's contemporary design and premium materials, the collection creates a unique dialogue between Indian heritage and modern luxury expression," it added.

"The collaboration with Prada reflects an ethical partnership where a global brand works directly with artisans from Maharashtra and Karnataka, recognising their expertise and giving them full credit," the Maharashtra government-run LIDCOM's Managing Director Prerna Deshbhratar said.

The aim of the project is to foster the exchange of skills and knowledge, ensuring that these techniques continue to thrive, while creating learning opportunities for young people within local communities, the statement said.

"Our collaboration with LIDCOM and LIDKAR stems from a meaningful cultural exchange, where every voice contributed to creating not just a product, but a broader initiative," Prada's group head of corporate social responsibility, Lorenzo Bertelli, said. PTI AA TRB

Kolhapuri chappal exports could reach USD 1 billion annually after Prada MoU with Indian artisan cooperatives. Prada signed a Memorandum of Understanding with two Maharashtra government leather corporations to manufacture a limited edition Kolhapuri sandal collection in India with artisans from Maharashtra and Karnataka, framed as an ethical partnership recognising artisan expertise and combining traditional techniques with Prada's contemporary design for retail across select stores and e commerce.