The Government has approved the RELIEF (Resilience & Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation) scheme under the Export Promotion Mission (EPM) to help Indian exporters manage disruptions arising from the evolving geopolitical situation in West Asia.

The initiative aims to address rising freight charges, higher insurance premiums, vessel diversions, shipping delays and war-related risks amid growing security concerns around the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, RELIEF is a time-bound intervention designed to minimise the financial burden on exporters and maintain the continuity of trade with Gulf markets.

The scheme will be implemented through the Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India (ECGC), which will oversee verification, claims processing, fund disbursement and monitoring.

The initiative features three major support measures:

  • Enhanced Insurance Coverage: Exporters with existing ECGC policies will receive up to 100% risk coverage for eligible shipments between February 14 and March 15, 2026, at no additional cost.

  • Upcoming Shipments: Shipments scheduled between March 16 and June 15, 2026, will be eligible for up to 95% risk coverage with government support.

  • MSME Support: Small exporters without ECGC insurance can claim reimbursement of up to 50% of additional freight and insurance expenses, capped at ₹50 lakh per exporter.

The scheme will cover exports to 11 countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, Iran, Israel and Yemen.

With a financial allocation of ₹497 crore, RELIEF will operate under a dashboard-based monitoring mechanism to track claims and fund utilisation. The EPM Steering Committee will periodically assess the scheme and introduce adjustments based on changing geopolitical developments.

The government expects the initiative to strengthen exporter confidence, prevent order cancellations, protect employment in export-oriented industries and reinforce India’s global trade competitiveness amid ongoing supply chain uncertainties.