The Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) has welcomed the Government of India’s 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.
A Sakthivel, Chairman of AEPC, highlighted that disruptions in key maritime routes due to the evolving geopolitical situation in the Gulf region have significantly increased freight costs, insurance premiums, and operational uncertainties for exporters. He noted that the RELIEF initiative reflects a proactive and responsive approach by the government to protect India’s export sector during a period of global instability.
He further appreciated the scheme’s comprehensive framework, which covers both affected consignments during the disruption period and upcoming shipments. According to him, enhanced ECGC-backed risk coverage of up to 100% for past shipments and up to 95% for future exports will help restore exporter confidence and maintain trade continuity.
The Chairman also emphasised the importance of the reimbursement mechanism included in the scheme, particularly for MSME exporters who may not have availed ECGC cover but are facing increased freight and insurance costs. This provision is expected to provide critical support to smaller exporters and help them remain competitive.
Dr Sakthivel commended the Government for establishing an Inter-Ministerial Group on Supply Chain Resilience and implementing measures such as procedural relaxations, improved port-level facilitation, and better logistics coordination to address immediate challenges.
He expressed confidence that with Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India (ECGC) as the nodal implementing agency and a strong monitoring framework in place, the scheme will ensure timely disbursement of support. The allocation of Rs 497 crore under the Export Promotion Mission further reinforces the government’s commitment to safeguarding exports and employment in export-driven sectors.
In conclusion, Dr Sakthivel stated that the RELIEF scheme will play a key role in mitigating the impact of the West Asia logistics crisis, preventing order cancellations, and strengthening the resilience and global competitiveness of India’s apparel exports.
