Government Expands RELIEF Scheme Amid West Asia Crisis
The government has extended its RELIEF (Resilience and Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation) scheme to include more destinations amid ongoing disruptions caused by the crisis in West Asia.
Key Points of the RELIEF Scheme
- The scheme was launched with a budget of ₹497 crore to assist exporters affected by conflicts.
- New Destinations Added: Egypt and Jordan are now included for shipments meant for delivery or transhipment under the RELIEF framework.
- Eligibility: Exporters with a new ECGC whole turnover policy from March 16, 2026, onward will qualify for support.
- The scheme provides support throughout the export cycle, including existing disruptions and future exports.
Implications for Exporters
- This initiative aims to provide clarity and facilitate increased participation from exporters, especially new policyholders.
Reforms in Norms Committees (NCs) Under DGFT
The Ministry of Commerce has implemented a series of reforms to improve the functioning of Norms Committees under the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).
Objectives of the Reforms
- To improve turnaround times and enable early approvals.
- To enhance transparency and predictability in the Advance Authorisation (AA) Scheme.
Action Steps
- Additional technical officers from line ministries are being nominated to Committees to improve sectoral expertise.
- A special drive aims for the quick disposal of pending applications with meetings on a fixed schedule.
Advance Authorisation (AA) and Duty-Free Import Authorisation (DFIA) Schemes
- Both schemes allow for duty-free import of inputs incorporated in export products.
