**Executive Summary**
The Government of India has expanded the Resilience & Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation (RELIEF) scheme to include Egypt and Jordan as eligible destinations. Launched on March 19, 2026, this time-bound intervention aims to support exporters affected by geopolitical disruptions in West Asia. A policy circular dated April 15, 2026, also clarifies that exporters with fresh ECGC policies from March 16, 2026, are eligible for insurance support.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Scheme Objectives and Implementation**
* **Purpose:** To mitigate impacts of extraordinary freight escalation, heightened insurance premia, and war-related export risks in the Gulf and West Asia maritime corridor.
* **Nodal Agency:** The Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India (ECGC) is responsible for implementation.
* **Support Types:** Includes insurance cover facilitation for upcoming shipments and reimbursement assistance for MSME exporters facing freight and insurance surcharge burdens.
**Geographical Expansion**
* **New Destinations:** Egypt and Jordan are now added to the list of eligible countries for delivery or transshipment.
* **Strategic Scope:** The expansion covers the extended West Asia and North Africa corridor to ensure export resilience amid ongoing maritime logistics challenges.
**Policy Clarifications (Component II)**
* **Eligibility Criteria:** Exporters obtaining a fresh ECGC Whole Turnover Policy on or after March 16, 2026, are eligible for support under Component II.
* **Coverage Period:** Support is calibrated across the export cycle, covering shipments already undertaken during the disruption period as well as prospective exports.
* **Goal:** To facilitate wider participation of exporters and provide clarity for new policyholders regarding ECGC insurance support.
**Impact Analysis**
**Indian MSME Exporters**
**Impact**
They receive financial relief through reimbursements for extraordinary freight and insurance surcharges, helping them navigate logistical uncertainties in the West Asia and North Africa regions.
**Action Required**
Exporters should review their shipment destinations to Egypt and Jordan and ensure their freight and insurance surcharge claims align with the RELIEF framework.
**New ECGC Policyholders**
**Impact**
Exporters who acquired a fresh ECGC Whole Turnover Policy on or after March 16, 2026, are now confirmed as eligible for Component II support.
**Action Required**
Eligible policyholders should engage with ECGC to access insurance support and ensure their policies are correctly registered for the scheme.
**ECGC (Nodal Agency)**
**Impact**
As the implementing body, ECGC must manage the expanded list of destinations and the inclusion of new policyholders within the RELIEF framework.
**Action Required**
Facilitate insurance cover for upcoming shipments and process reimbursement assistance for eligible MSME exporters according to the updated guidelines.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Government Expands Coverage of RELIEF
Scheme Amid West Asia Geopolitical
Developments
RELIEF Scheme Supports MSME Exporters; Egypt and
Jordan Added to Eligible List
Posted On: 17 APR 2026 7:11PM by PIB Delhi
In view of the evolving geopolitical situation in West Asia and its continuing impact on maritime logistics
across the Gulf and adjoining regions, the Government has expanded the list of eligible destinations under
RELIEF – Resilience & Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation, a time-bound intervention under the
Export Promotion Mission (EPM).
RELIEF was launched on 19 March 2026 as a targeted intervention to support Indian exporters affected by
extraordinary freight escalation, heightened insurance premia and war-related export risks arising from
disruptions in the Gulf and wider West Asia maritime corridor. The intervention provides calibrated
support across the export cycle, including for shipments already undertaken during the disruption period
as well as prospective exports.
RELIEF is being implemented through ECGC as the nodal agency and includes 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.
With this expansion, Egypt and Jordan have been added to the list of eligible countries for shipments
meant for delivery or transhipment, under the relevant provisions of the RELIEF framework.
In addition, through a Policy Circular dated 15th April 2026, the Government has clarified the scope of
Component II of RELIEF, which pertains to ECGC insurance support. It has been clarified that exporters
obtaining a fresh ECGC Whole Turnover Policy on or after 16 March 2026 shall also be eligible for
support under Component II. This clarification is aimed at ensuring greater clarity and facilitating wider
participation of exporters, particularly new policyholders.
The above measures reflect the Government’s continued assessment of evolving trade and logistics
conditions in the region and its commitment to respond to emerging challenges faced by exporters. By
expanding the geographical coverage of RELIEF, the Government aims to ensure that exporters operating
across the extended West Asia and North Africa corridor are adequately supported during the ongoing
disruptions.
This expansion is expected to further strengthen export resilience, sustain trade flows and support Indian
exporters navigating the current geopolitical and logistics uncertainties.
***Abhishek Dayal/Garima Singh/Anushka Pandey
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