Dr. A Sakthivel, Chairman of AEPC welcomes the Government’s timely and pragmatic approval of the RELIEF (Resilience & Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation) scheme under the Export Promotion Mission, aimed at supporting exporters impacted by the ongoing West Asia crisis.
He stated that the evolving geopolitical situation in the Gulf region, particularly disruptions around key maritime routes, has led to significant escalation in freight costs, insurance premia and operational uncertainties for exporters. In this context, the RELIEF initiative reflects the Government’s proactive and responsive approach to safeguarding India’s export sector during a period of heightened global uncertainty.
The AEPC Chairman appreciated the comprehensive design of the scheme, which not only addresses consignments already affected during the disruption period but also extends support to upcoming shipments. He noted that enhanced ECGC-backed risk coverage of up to 100% for past shipments and up to 95% for prospective exports will go a long way in restoring exporter confidence and ensuring continuity in trade flows.
He particularly highlighted the inclusion of a reimbursement mechanism for MSME exporters who may not have availed ECGC cover but are bearing the brunt of extraordinary freight and insurance surcharges. This targeted support, he said, will provide much-needed relief to smaller exporters and help them remain competitive in challenging conditions.
Dr Sakthivel also commended the Government for operationalising an Inter-Ministerial Group on Supply Chain Resilience and undertaking coordinated measures such as procedural relaxations, port-level facilitation and improved logistics coordination, which have helped address immediate bottlenecks on the ground.
He expressed confidence that with ECGC as the nodal implementing agency and a robust monitoring framework in place, the scheme will ensure timely and effective disbursement of support. The allocation of Rs. 497 crore under the Export Promotion Mission further underscores the Government’s strong commitment to protecting export interests and employment in export-oriented sectors.
In conclusion, the Chairman stated that the RELIEF scheme will play a crucial role in mitigating the adverse impact of the West Asia logistics crisis, preventing order cancellations and reinforcing the resilience and global competitiveness of India’s apparel exports.
