RELIEF Scheme Launched to Support Exporters Amid West Asia Conflict

The Indian government has taken significant steps to support the nation's exporters by launching the RELIEF (Resilience & Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation) scheme. Announced at a press conference by Commerce Ministry Secretary Rajesh Agarwal, this initiative is responding to disruptions caused by the ongoing West Asia conflict.

The scheme is part of the broader Export Promotion mission, with a substantial outlay of Rs 497 crore. It specifically targets exporters dealing with challenges in about 17-18 geographies affected by the conflict. An inter-ministerial group that includes the commerce ministry, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, and other key departments has been established to monitor the situation closely.

With the Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India (ECGC) as the implementing agency, the scheme provides automatic extensions on export obligations and offers logistical and financial support. It emphasizes assisting exporters to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and other key regions, with particular measures aimed at protecting MSMEs from surcharge shocks and assisting with extraordinary freight costs.