Based on the latest data from the US Geological Survey (USGS) and the International Lead and Zinc Study Group (ILZSG), the analytical center “Experts Club” has presented an updated ranking of the world’s twenty largest zinc producers for 2024.
Top 20 countries by zinc production in 2024
Rank Country Production volume (tons)
1 China 4,000,000
2 Peru 1,300,000
3 Australia 1,100,000
4 India 860,000
5 United States 750,000
6 Mexico 700,000
7 Bolivia 510,000
8 Kazakhstan 370,000
9 Russia 310,000
10 Sweden 240,000
11 South Africa 120,000
12 Canada 110,000
13 Brazil 100,000
14 Iran 90,000
15 Portugal 80,000
16 Ireland 70,000
17 Namibia 60,000
18 Finland 50,000
19 Turkey 40,000
20 Spain 30,000
Current trends and challenges
The global zinc market faces a number of challenges:
Source: https://expertsclub.eu/top-20-stran-po-dob%d1%8bche-czynka-v-2024-godu/
The Experts Club think tank has analyzed the state of the French economy and provided its forecasts for the whole of 2025. At the beginning of 2025, the French economy is showing signs of slowing down due to internal and external factors, including the escalation of trade disputes with the United States.
Current economic indicators
According to the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE), France’s GDP grew by 0.1% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the previous quarter, following a 0.1% decline in the fourth quarter of 2024. This modest growth was mainly driven by inventory accumulation in the chemical, pharmaceutical, and agro-industrial sectors, which added 0.5 percentage points to GDP. However, domestic demand remains weak, with consumer spending stagnating and business investment declining by 0.1%. Foreign trade also had a negative impact, reducing growth by 0.4 percentage points due to a 0.7% decline in exports and a 0.4% increase in imports.
Impact of US trade tariffs
The introduction of new tariffs by the administration of US President Donald Trump, including a 25% duty on cars, steel, and aluminum, is putting significant pressure on France’s export-oriented industries. Companies such as Airbus are looking for ways to circumvent these tariffs, for example by delivering aircraft to US airlines via third countries.
The French government has lowered its economic growth forecast for 2025 from 0.9% to 0.7%, citing uncertainty in global trade. The Bank of France has also confirmed this forecast, noting that growth remains positive but is slowing compared to previous years.
Forecast for the end of 2025
Economists expect France’s economic growth to remain weak in the second half of 2025, with a possible improvement in 2026. The main risk factors remain ongoing trade disputes with the US and domestic political uncertainties. However, France is committed to maintaining economic stability through fiscal measures and stimulating domestic demand.
The development company Alliance Novobud has already signed 100 agreements under the state program of preferential mortgages ‘єОселя,’ according to the company’s press service.
“The “єОселя” program plays an extremely important role both for the primary real estate market and for the socio-political situation in the country. It helps thousands of Ukrainians — primarily those who defend the state or were forced to leave their homes — to purchase their own homes on preferential terms. Already 100 families have become owners of apartments in our residential complexes thanks to this program, and most of them are military personnel and Ukrainians with IDP status. Demand for the program is growing every day, so we are convinced that it should be developed and supported in the future,” commented Irina Mikhaleva, CMO of Alliance Novobud.
The largest number of agreements – 48 – were concluded with the participation of partner bank Skybank. The rest of the agreements were concluded with six other financial institutions (Oschadbank, Ukrgasbank, Privatbank, Sens Bank, Ukreximbank, and Radabank).
The most popular property among participants in “єОселі” was house No. 3 in the Krona Park II residential complex, where 13 agreements were signed. A total of 16 properties from the developer are participating in the program.
Two-room apartments are in the highest demand, with 45 already sold. One-room apartments are the second most popular. The average size of an apartment purchased under the program is 71 square meters.
Deals with preferential rates of 3% and 7% were distributed almost equally. At the same time, buyers prefer ready-to-move-in homes, although apartments in new buildings under construction also have a high share of sales — the difference in demand is only a few percent.
According to data from the LUN new construction portal, Alliance Novobud was founded in 2006. Since 2010, the company has commissioned 37 buildings and parking lots, and is in the process of completing nine buildings in the Krona Park II residential complex in Brovary and a premium-class project in the capital, Montreal House.
alliance novobud, agreements, єоселя
Lviv Locomotive Repair Plant (LLRP), part of Ukrzaliznytsia, plans to repair 17 locomotives in 2025, compared to 16 in 2024, according to information about plans for the current year in the company’s report for the previous year.
According to LLRZ, it also plans to increase the repair of traction motors and their anchors by 30% to 495 units, and auxiliary electric machines by 19.2% (or 30 units) to 186 units.
At the same time, the production plan for the repair of wheel sets is 450 units, compared to 556 units repaired last year.
According to the plant, last year it repaired, in monetary terms, locomotives worth UAH 453.26 million (55% of total sales), wheel sets worth UAH 171.84 million (21%), traction motors worth UAH 99.5 million (12%), and their anchors worth UAH 55.2 million (7%).
In 2024, the plant increased its net profit by 55% compared to 2023, to UAH 24 million, with net income growing by 39% to UAH 827.7 million.
Operating profit increased by 29.8% to UAH 31.3 million, and gross profit by 27.8% to UAH 62.3 million.
“Capital investments in 2024 amounted to UAH 16.522 million. We also saw an increase in EBITDA of UAH 7.9 million, reflecting a trend towards improvement in the company’s financial position compared to last year,” the report says.
At the beginning of this year, the plant employed 846 people (599 of whom were men).
Founded in 1861, LLRZ is now a large Ukrainian enterprise specializing in the repair of electric locomotives, traction motors, and wheel sets.
KYT Group, one of the leaders in the currency exchange and financial services market in Ukraine, continues its strategic expansion of its network in regions with high economic activity.
On April 29, 2025, the company’s first branch opened in the city of Bila Tserkva, Kyiv region. Thus, KYT Group’s modern services now cover 30 cities in Ukraine, and the total number of exchange points in the network with national coverage has reached 96 branches.
The new currency exchange point of the KYT Group network is located at 1 Hryhoriya Kovbasyuka Street, Bila Tserkva, Kyiv region. It is conveniently located in the city center, close to popular shopping centers and supermarkets, allowing customers to easily combine a visit to a financial service with other daily activities.
The branch will be open every day from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., offering the group’s high standards of service, favorable currency exchange rates, and a personalized approach to customer requests.
Detailed information about the work of this and other branches of the network and the terms and conditions of operations, as well as consultations, can be obtained from the KYT Group customer support center at 0 800 331957.
The opening of the branch in Bila Tserkva is another step in KYT Group’s strategy to strengthen its presence in key cities of Ukraine to meet the demand among Ukrainians for high-quality modern financial services.
The geographical expansion of KYT Group’s presence aims to provide Ukrainians with even broader access to services that meet the highest industry standards.
The new branch in Bila Tserkva has been designed in line with the brand’s updated identity. This is part of KYT Group’s large-scale rebranding, which emphasizes its position as an innovative leader in the non-bank financial services market. The branch in Bila Tserkva offers customers all the key advantages of a national leader in currency exchange:
Ø Online currency exchange rate fixing for 60 minutes via the official website, Telegram channel, or customer support service — a unique solution for the Ukrainian market that allows you to plan your exchange in advance on the most favorable terms, even in conditions of exchange rate volatility.
Ø Special conditions for wholesale currency exchange — convenient for customers with large transaction volumes who want to get the best deal.
During 2024–2025, the KYТ Group network is actively expanding. Its new branches have already been opened in Chernivtsi, Ivano-Frankivsk, Odesa, Kamyanske, Uman, Chernihiv, Kryvyi Rih, and now in Bila Tserkva.
KYT Group continues to invest in network expansion and service improvement, digital infrastructure, and customer experience, remaining a reliable partner for Ukrainians in the field of currency transactions.
ABOUT
KYT Group is an international multi-service FinTech company whose flagship business is currency exchange. KYT Group is one of the largest operators in this segment of the financial market. According to data from the National Bank of Ukraine, it ranks first in the industry rating in terms of taxes paid, capital size, and business success based on financial results. The KYT Group network of 96 exchange points covers 30 of Ukraine’s largest cities. The company’s activities comply with the regulatory requirements of the NBU.
The KYT Group’s long-standing efforts to achieve leadership positions, improve services, customer and IT infrastructure have been recognized by the prestigious Banker Awards 2024 in the category “Reliable Technology Partner for Exchange Transactions,” as well as the award “Financial Market Leader” among non-bank financial institutions according to “TOP-100. Ratings of the largest.”
According to SERBIAN ECONOMIST, on April 24, 2025, Albania reintroduced visa-free travel for Belarusian citizens, allowing them to stay in the country for up to 30 days. This decision cancels the previously introduced visa restrictions and makes Albania accessible again to Belarusian tourists without the need to obtain a visa.
Main conditions for visa-free entry
Validity: the visa-free regime is valid until September 30, 2025.
Maximum length of stay: up to 30 days from the date of entry.
Purpose of travel: tourism and short-term private visits.
Documents: you must have a valid passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the date of departure from Albania.
Earlier, in April 2025, Albania suspended the visa-free regime for Belarusian citizens, requiring them to obtain a visa for entry. However, in light of the current changes, Belarusian citizens can once again visit Albania without a visa, which contributes to the development of tourist and cultural ties between the two countries.
Belgrade. May 5. SERBIAN ECONOMIST
