The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has expanded the coverage of the RELIEF (Resilience & Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation) scheme by adding Egypt and Jordan to the list of eligible destinations, in response to ongoing geopolitical disruptions in West Asia affecting maritime logistics.
The move comes amid continued volatility across the Gulf and adjoining regions, which has led to elevated freight costs, higher insurance premia and increased risks for exporters operating along key maritime trade routes.
Launched on 19 March 2026 under the Export Promotion Mission, the RELIEF scheme is designed as a time-bound intervention to support Indian exporters impacted by these disruptions.
It provides calibrated assistance across the export cycle, including for shipments already undertaken during the disruption period as well as prospective exports.
The scheme is being implemented through the Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India (ECGC), which acts as the nodal agency.
Measures under the scheme include support for insured exporters, facilitation of insurance cover for upcoming shipments, and reimbursement assistance for eligible MSME exporters facing extraordinary freight and insurance surcharge burdens.
The expansion of geographical coverage is intended to ensure that exporters operating across the extended West Asia and North Africa corridor receive adequate support during the ongoing disruptions.
In a related development, the government has also clarified the scope of Component II of RELIEF, which pertains to ECGC insurance support, through a policy circular issued on 15 April.
Exporters obtaining a fresh ECGC Whole Turnover Policy on or after 16 March 2026 will now be eligible for insurance-related support under Component II, a step aimed at widening participation, particularly among new policyholders.
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