Context:

• The Government of India has launched the ₹497 crore RELIEF (Resilience and Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation) scheme to support Indian exporters affected by the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

Key Points:

• Objective: To reduce financial losses caused by disruptions in the Gulf region and West Asia maritime corridors and to ensure continuity of exports.
• Implementing Agency: Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India (ECGC)
• Target Countries: Covers shipments to around 17–18 regions including UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Iraq, Iran, Israel, and Yemen.

Major Components:

• First, exporters who have already availed ECGC credit insurance cover for eligible shipments will receive up to 100% additional risk coverage over existing ECGC cover during the eligible period (14 February 2026 to 15 March 2026), ensuring enhanced protection without additional financial burden.
• Second, exporters planning shipments over the next three months (16 March 2026 to 15 June 2026) will be encouraged to avail ECGC cover with government support for up to 95% additional risk coverage, helping maintain exporter confidence and ensuring uninterrupted shipment flow despite logistical uncertainties.
• Third, recognizing that some MSME exporters may not have availed credit insurance (between 14 February 2026 and 15 March 2026) but are facing high freight and insurance surcharges, the scheme provides partial reimbursement (up to 50%) for eligible non-ECGC insured MSME exporters. This support is subject to conditions, document verification, and a notified cap (up to ₹50 lakh per exporter), aiming to provide timely relief against rising logistics costs.

Key Features under Export Promotion Mission (EPM):

• The government has approved RELIEF as a resilience and logistics intervention under the Export Promotion Mission to facilitate exports.
• This intervention responds to logistical disruptions and rising costs in Gulf and West Asia maritime corridors.
• ECGC will act as the nodal implementing agency for risk coverage and reimbursement mechanisms.
• The scheme covers both past shipments and upcoming exports, with special focus on MSME support.
• The project will be funded under EPM and reviewed periodically based on geopolitical developments.

Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India (ECGC):

• Established: 1957, with the objective of promoting exports by providing credit risk insurance
• Headquarters: Mumbai
• A wholly owned organization under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry
• Formerly known as ‘Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India Ltd.’
• Key Functions:
• Provides credit insurance to exporters to enable them to explore new markets without fear
• Offers guarantees to banks to facilitate pre-shipment and post-shipment credit to exporters

Export Promotion Mission (EPM):

• • Export Promotion Mission (EPM) is an ambitious initiative of the Government of India, announced in Budget 2025–26 and approved by the Union Cabinet in November 2025.
• • Its main objective is to bring fragmented export support programs under a unified and digital framework.
• Implementing Agency: Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)
• Financial Outlay: ₹25,060 crore
• Mission Duration: Six years (FY 2025–26 to 2030–31)

Two Sub-Schemes:

• Export Promotion (Financial Assistance): Improve access to affordable trade finance for diversification into new markets
• Export Direction (Non-Financial Assistance): Enhance market readiness and global competitiveness of exporters