Department of Commerce Extends RELIEF Initiative for Exporters Until March 31, 2027

Component II of the RELIEF initiative has been extended till March 31, 2027, to provide insurance support to Indian exporters who have been facing disruptions in shipping their cargo due to geopolitical uncertainties and disruptions in West Asia. Through this initiative, which is implemented through Export Promotion Mission (EPM), risk cover of 95% is provided to motivate exporters to take insurance cover from Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India (ECGC).

What Is the RELIEF Initiative?

RELIEF is an acronym for Resilience & Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation. It was launched by the Government of India on March 19, 2026, through Export Promotion Mission to assist exporters to handle the financial ramifications of disruptions in Gulf/West Asian region.

It is aimed at addressing high insurance costs, extraordinary freight cost increase, and war risk premium that impact export shipment. Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India (ECGC) acts as the nodal implementing agency for this intervention.

How Will the 95% Risk Coverage Assist Exporters?

Those exporters sending goods to locations affected by the disruption may have to incur higher insurance charges and face uncertainty about whether the shipment will be delivered successfully. This may discourage them from accepting any further orders or continuing their ongoing ones.

With Component II, the government hopes to encourage exporters to secure ECGC insurance coverage for future consignments as well as protect those exporters that are eligible from any rise in insurance premiums over their prior rates.

What is ECGC?

Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India (ECGC) is a public sector undertaking established by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry. ECGC offers export credit insurance and risk management services to Indian exporters and financing institutions.

The risk management services offered include protection against the risks such as nonpayment by the foreign buyer and some political or business disruptions. As per RELIEF, ECGC is the agency mandated to implement the notified risk management support mechanism including the verification and processing of claims.

Exporters seeking help under RELIEF should refer to the official website of ECGC to get customer portal instructions. The government notice also guides the exporters to follow the official YouTube channel of ECGC for tutorials.