Context: Government approves RELIEF (Resilience & Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation) – an intervention under Export Promotion Mission to support exporters amid West Asia logistics disruptions
- RELIEF is aimed at supporting Indian exporters affected by extraordinary freight escalation, heightened insurance premia and war-related export risks arising from disruptions in the Gulf and wider West Asia maritime corridor.
- Aim: To mitigate the immediate impact of logistics disruptions, protect exporter confidence, prevent order cancellations and safeguard employment in export-linked sectors.
- Under the approved framework, ECGC Ltd. (Formerly Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India Ltd.), wholly owned by Government of India (Ministry of Commerce & Industry), has been designated as the nodal and implementing agency responsible for verification, claim processing, disbursement and monitoring.
- ECGC was set up in 1957 with the objective of promoting exports from the country by providing Credit Risk Insurance for exports.
- Components: The following three components cover consignments destined to countries in the West Asia region such as UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Israel, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Iraq, Iran and Yemen, meant either for delivery or for transshipment:
- Upto 100% risk coverage to exporters who have already obtained ECGC credit insurance cover,
- Encouragement to exporters planning upcoming consignments during the next three months to obtain ECGC coverwith Government support for upto 95% risk coverage,
- Partial reimbursement (upto 50%) mechanism for eligible non-ECGC-insured MSME exporters.
- Implementation of RELIEF under Export Promotion Mission will be undertaken with an approved financial outlay of Rs. 497 Crores under the Mission.
- Through RELIEF, the Government aims to mitigate the immediate impact of logistics disruptions, protect exporter confidence, prevent order cancellations and safeguard employment in export-linked sectors. The intervention also reinforces India’s commitment to maintaining resilience and competitiveness in global trade during periods of uncertainty.
- RELIEF covers both eligible past shipments and prospective exports, with a strong focus on MSME support.
Export Promotion Mission
- Vision: Provides a comprehensive, flexible, and digitally driven framework for export promotion.
- Financial Outlay: Rs. 25,060 crores.
- Timeline: Six years (FY 2025–26 to FY 2030–31).
- Two sub-schemes:
- Niryat Protsahan (Financial Support): Improving access to affordable trade finance for diversification into new markets.
- Niryat Disha (Non-Financial Support): Enhancing the market readiness and competitiveness of exporters.
- Implementing Agency: Directorate General of Foreign Trade.
