Ankara: Trkiye can achieve a further level of economic integration with Europe via a multi-pronged approach aligning trade policies with seamless financial infrastructure, while joining the 'Made in EU' initiative will transform its export capabilities, a sector leader told Anadolu. According to Anadolu Agency, Mustafa Gultepe stated that Trkiye's exports reached $136.1 billion in the first half of the year, up 3.6% on an annual basis. This growth was driven by an increase in product value and favorable exchange rates that contributed $3.8 billion. Gultepe emphasized the significance of closing the January-June period with rising exports, particularly amid geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Gultepe noted that while some subsectors experienced growth, others saw declines; however, exports across all sectors grew year-on-year in April, with a similar trend evident in June. He highlighted the impact of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, drawing parallels to the pande mic. The rise in exports was primarily attributed to an increase in value, not volume, due to the rise in raw material prices. The defense, automotive, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, steel, and electrical and electronics sectors were key drivers of Trkiye's first-half export performance. Gultepe identified the EU as a critical market for Turkish exports, accounting for 50% of the country's total exports and exceeding 65% for some sectors. Accession to the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) is expected to further boost exports. Gultepe explained that the SEPA scheme simplifies payments, enabling faster money transfers within Europe, which could significantly benefit small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). He emphasized Trkiye's structural advantages, noting that financial friction remains the main barrier to overcome. Gultepe highlighted Trkiye's flexibility, quality, logistical advantages, and geographical proximity to Europe as key assets. He stressed the need for policy alignment alongside financial i ntegration to maximize these advantages. He stated that amending the Customs Union, participating in the 'Made in EU' efforts, and joining the SEPA system could simplify and streamline business operations. Gultepe mentioned that Turkish exports reached $278 billion over the past 12 months. He reiterated his goal for Trkiye to achieve double-digit growth and rank among the top 10 exporters in the medium to long term, with contributions needed from 27 sectors, including services.