MOVES-Aramco Trading Company hires LNG trading manager -sources

SINGAPORE, Jan 14 (Reuters) - Aramco Trading Co, the trading arm of Saudi Aramco, has hired a liquefied natural gas (LNG) trading manager as it looks to expand its presence in the super-chilled fuel, industry sources told Reuters.

It has hired Garth Edward as LNG trading manager, according to the sources and his LinkedIn profile.

Edward was most recently an LNG trader with France's Engie before which he was with PetroChina , according to his profile.

Edward could not immediately be reached for comment while Aramco did not immediately reply to a Reuters email seeking comment.

The hiring of Edward is likely part of Aramco's expansion into LNG trading as the firm boosts gas production and considers expanding LNG investment, said the sources, who declined to be identified as they were not authorised to speak with media.

The Saudi state oil giant plans to become a major global gas player and has been developing its own gas resources as well as eyeing gas assets in the United States, Russia, Australia and Africa, its chief executive officer and the Saudi energy minister have said.

Aramco Trading Co already has an LNG executive in Singapore to develop its business and has so far struck deals to supply LNG to Bangladesh and potentially to Pakistan.

(Reporting by Jessica Jaganathan; Editing by Christopher Cushing)