Resilience & Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation (RELIEF) Scheme

Why in News?

The Government has expanded the RELIEF Scheme coverage to include Egypt and Jordan amid evolving geopolitical tensions in West Asia and disruptions in maritime logistics.

• Aim – To provide a financial and operational safety net for Indian exporters.
• Type – Central Sector Scheme under the Export Promotion Mission (EPM).
• Launched in – March 2026.
• Nodal Ministry – Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
• Implementing Agency – Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India (ECGC).

ECGC - Provides credit insurance to Indian exporters against risks such as buyer default (non‑payment), political risks (war, civil unrest, currency restrictions), and commercial risks (insolvency, protracted default)

• Duration – Time‑bound intervention (initially notified for shipments between February and June 2026).
• Objectives
  • Mitigate logistics costs and maritime risk exposure.
  • Provide calibrated insurance and financial support to exporters.
  • Ensure supply chain resilience and sustain trade flows.
  • Support MSME exporters disproportionately affected by freight surcharges.
• Coverage
  • Exports to Gulf and West Asia countries – UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, Iran, Yemen.
  • Newly added – Egypt and Jordan.

• Beneficiaries
  • Primary – MSME exporters, insured exporters, new ECGC policyholders.
  • Secondary – Logistics providers, shipping companies, wider export ecosystem.

References                             

1. PIB | RELIEF Scheme
2. ECGC | RELIEF Scheme
3. The Hindu | RELIEF Scheme