Moroccan officials have said that Chinese automotive battery manufacturers Hailiang and Shinzoom will build two separate plants in the country, Reuters reports.

It comes as Morocco sees an increasing automotive sector due to greater demand for electric vehicles.

Earlier this year its industry and trade minister Ryad Mezzour said the government is in talks to attract more electric battery makers.

Hailiang is planning to build a copper plant worth $450 million, and Shinzoom, part of Hunan Zhongke, will invest $460 million in an anodes facility.

Another Chinese manufacturer, CNGR Advanced Material is expected to build a cathode plant in Jorf Lasfar, 100 kilometres south of Casablanca, Reuters reports.

Major automakers such as Stellantis and Renault have production plants in the country, with GlobalData analysts citing the country is transforming into a manufacturing hub success story, having created two industrial platforms in the Cite de l’Automobile in Tangier and the Cite de l’Automobile in Kenitra.

It has ambitions to become one of the world’s major car manufacturing locations.