THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
NEW
DELHI, APRIL 2, 2026
In a decisive move to
safeguard India’s export momentum amid ongoing logistics disruptions in West
Asia, the Government has approved the RELIEF (Resilience & Logistics
Intervention for Export Facilitation) initiative under the Export Promotion
Mission (EPM), with a financial outlay of Rs. 497 crore. The targeted
intervention aims to provide risk protection, cost support, and confidence to
exporters navigating heightened freight and insurance uncertainties linked to
geopolitical tensions.
Under RELIEF,
exporters who have already secured credit insurance cover from the Export
Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECGC) for eligible consignments during the period
from February 14, 2026 to March 15, 2026 will receive enhanced protection with
up to 100 per cent risk coverage over and above the existing ECGC cover,
ensuring stronger financial security without additional burden. For upcoming
consignments scheduled between March 16, 2026 and June 15, 2026, the Government
will support exporters in obtaining ECGC cover with up to 95% risk coverage
beyond the existing framework, reinforcing confidence and ensuring continuity
of trade flows despite volatile logistics conditions.
Recognising the
unique challenges faced by MSME exporters who may not have availed ECGC
insurance during the disruption window, the RELIEF scheme also provides partial
reimbursement of up to 50 per cent for extraordinary freight and insurance
surcharge costs. This support, capped at Rs. 50 lakh per exporter and subject
to prescribed conditions and verification, is designed to offset sudden cost
escalations triggered by conflict-driven supply chain disruptions.
The RELIEF intervention forms part of the broader Export Promotion Mission approved for the period FY 2025–26 to FY 2030–31, aimed at enhancing India’s export competitiveness with a strong focus on MSMEs. The mission operates through two integrated sub-schemes — NIRYAT PROTSAHAN, which seeks to improve access to trade finance through interest subvention, export factoring, collateral guarantees and credit enhancement mechanisms, and NIRYAT DISHA, which focuses on strengthening export capabilities through quality compliance support, branding and packaging assistance, market access initiatives, logistics infrastructure, warehousing solutions and trade intelligence
Providing details of the initiative in a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Shobha Karandlaje highlighted that the measures are aimed at ensuring resilience in India’s export ecosystem and enabling businesses, particularly MSMEs, to sustain global trade engagement despite emerging geopolitical and logistical challenges.
