Business · Trade · 6 hrs ago
US official points to opportunities for LPG trade with Turkey
US Energy Department official Shiyana Gunasekara outlined ways to expand LPG ties with Turkey at an industry event in Istanbul.
Turkey imports large volumes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for domestic use and regional trade, and has a large fleet of vehicles that run on the fuel.
Gunasekara said more US LPG trade could strengthen Turkey’s regional energy role, adding that US supplies are reliable and expected to grow.
She also pointed to terminals, storage and distribution systems, saying infrastructure is vital to regional energy security.
Gunasekara praised Turkish engineering and said its expertise could support LPG projects in developing markets.
She also said LPG has driven about three-quarters of clean-cooking progress in sub-Saharan Africa since 2018, according to her remarks.
The US is working to expand access to clean cooking, and Gunasekara said a G20 meeting agreed that projects should be assessed on their merits and not restricted by technology.
A US energy official said there are opportunities to expand LPG trade between the United States and Turkey.
Shiyana Gunasekara described Turkey as one of the world’s largest LPG markets and a regional trading hub.
She identified increased trade, infrastructure and technical expertise as three areas for closer cooperation.
Gunasekara said US LPG supply is reliable and expected to grow over the next few years.
She also said LPG had accounted for about three-quarters of progress in access to clean cooking in sub-Saharan Africa since 2018.
- Who
- Shiyana Gunasekara, deputy director of the US Department of Energy’s Office of African and Middle Eastern Affairs.
- What
- She pointed to opportunities to develop LPG trade between the United States and Turkey.
- When
- She spoke at Liquid Gas Week 2026; the article was published on November 2, 2026.
- Where
- Liquid Gas Week 2026 was held in Istanbul.
- Why
- She said stronger trade, infrastructure and technical expertise could support Turkey’s regional energy-hub role and energy security.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Gunasekara said LPG had helped deliver about three-quarters of progress in access to clean cooking in sub-Saharan Africa since 2018.
Gunasekara attended the event in Istanbul and discussed LPG trade and energy security with Habertürk.
- US official
- Shiyana Gunasekara
- Event
- Liquid Gas Week 2026, Istanbul
- Turkey’s market
- One of the world’s largest LPG markets, according to Gunasekara
- Trade opportunities
- Increased trade, infrastructure and technical expertise
- Clean cooking
- LPG accounted for about three-quarters of progress in access since 2018 in sub-Saharan Africa, according to Gunasekara
What people are saying
I can say that Turkey is already one of the largest LPG markets in the world.
I think that developing trade relations with Turkey will further strengthen the country's position as a regional energy hub.
Since 2018, about three-quarters of the progress in access to clean cooking solutions, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, has been achieved thanks to LPG.