RELIEF Scheme To Ease Pressure On Exporters Amid West Asia Turmoil: CITI
Confederation of Indian Textile Industry has welcomed the government’s announcement of the Resilience & Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation (RELIEF) scheme, calling it a timely boost for exporters facing disruptions due to ongoing tensions in West Asia.
CITI Chairman Ashwin Chandran said the scheme reflects the government’s commitment to improving ease of doing business, particularly for the MSME-driven textiles and apparel sector, which has been under pressure in FY26.
The RELIEF initiative is expected to support exporters grappling with rising logistics and insurance costs amid geopolitical uncertainties, which have significantly impacted margins and operational efficiency.
West Asia remains a key market for Indian textile exports, with the United Arab Emirates among the top destinations. In 2024, the UAE ranked as the fourth-largest market for India’s textile and apparel exports after the US, the EU and Bangladesh.
The sector has also faced additional challenges from global trade dynamics, including the temporary imposition of steep US tariffs in late 2025, which disrupted export momentum.
According to CITI data, textile exports declined marginally by 0.31% in February 2026, while apparel exports saw a sharper drop of 8.6% year-on-year.
CITI expressed hope for swift implementation of the RELIEF package to help stabilise the sector and support exporters navigating a challenging global environment.
