In response to the ongoing geopolitical volatility in West Asia, the Government of India has officially expanded the RELIEF (Resilience & Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation) scheme. This expansion is designed to provide higher insurance coverage and logistics support to Indian exporters navigating the current trade disruptions.
Key Expansion Details (April 17, 2026)
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has added Egypt and Jordan to the list of eligible destinations under the RELIEF framework. This move extends support across a broader corridor of the West Asia and North Africa (WANA) region.
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Total Outlay: The scheme maintains its initial financial backing of ₹497 crore.
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Clarification on Eligibility: A new policy circular clarified that exporters obtaining a fresh ECGC Whole Turnover Policy on or after March 16, 2026, are now eligible for support under the scheme’s insurance component.
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Purpose: To mitigate the impact of “extraordinary freight escalation” and “heightened insurance premia” caused by maritime disruptions in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.
Overview of the RELIEF Scheme
Initially launched on March 19, 2026, the scheme is implemented through ECGC Ltd. (Export Credit Guarantee Corporation) and is divided into three critical components:
| Component | Target Group | Coverage/Benefit |
| Component I | Exporters already insured by ECGC (shipments Feb 14 – March 15, 2026) | Up to 100% risk coverage for war and political losses at pre-disruption premium rates. |
| Component II | Future exports (March 16 – June 15, 2026) | Enhanced cover of up to 95% with stable premiums for shipments to the Gulf and newly added nations. |
| Component III | Non-ECGC-insured MSME exporters | Reimbursement of up to 50% of additional freight and insurance surcharges (capped at ₹50 lakh per exporter). |
Strategic Context
The decision follows the activation of an Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) on Supply Chain Resilience earlier this year. With global reinsurers withdrawing coverage for conflict-hit corridors, the Indian government has stepped in as a de facto insurer of last resort to prevent order cancellations and protect the market share of Indian goods in the Middle East.
By adding Jordan and Egypt, the government aims to ensure that trade flows remain resilient even as logistics routes shift and insurance costs for regional transit remain high.
