RELIEF (Resilience & Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation)
Why in News?
- The RELIEF (Resilience & Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation) scheme is in the news because the Ministry of Commerce and Industry recently extended the operational timelines under Component II of the scheme.
- The Department of Commerce on 30th September 2026, extending the validity of Component II to support upcoming export shipments.
Overview of the Scheme
- Launch Date: It was originally launched on 19th March 2026 under the Export Promotion Mission (EPM).
- Financial Outlay: The government approved a total financial package of ₹497 Crores for this intervention.
- Nodal Implementing Agency: The Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India (ECGC Ltd.) acts as the primary hub handling risk verification, claim settlements, and real-time dashboard monitoring.
- Core Objective: To mitigate unexpected risk, ease the financial strain on exporters, and maintain the competitiveness of Indian exports globally.
The Three-Part Framework
The scheme divides its financial and risk mitigation support across three core components:
The scheme divides its financial and risk mitigation support across three core components:
- Component I (Past Shipments Support):
- Covers past insured consignments dispatched during the peak disruption period (14th February to 15th March 2026).
- Provides up to 100% risk coverage for war and political risks while keeping premium rates locked at pre-disruption levels.
- Component II (Prospective Shipments Support - Extended):
- Encourages exporters to take out fresh ECGC coverage (Stand Alone or Whole Turnover Policies) for upcoming trade rounds.
- Grants up to 95% risk coverage for loss.
- Ensures that insurance premium rates do not rise beyond pre-disruption baselines.
- Component III (Uninsured MSMEs Support):
- Specifically targets Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) who did not possess prior insurance.
- Offers a 50% partial reimbursement for freight and insurance cost escalation, capped at ₹50 Lakhs per exporter.
Scope and Geographical Coverage
- Cargo Types Included: Applies strictly to Full Container Load (FCL), Less than Container Load (LCL), and Reefer containers (perishable goods). Energy/fuel shipments are explicitly excluded.
- Eligible Destinations: Covers consignments destined for delivery or transshipment through affected West Asian nations, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Iraq, Iran, Yemen, and recently added corridors like Egypt and Jordan.
- Logistical Relief: In addition to insurance, the framework coordinates secondary benefits such as port storage fee waivers and real-time transit tracking.
