Top 12 Small Investment Opportunities in Pakistan

Graana Blog Posted On September 27, 2019

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small investment opportunities in Pakistan

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I recently met a friend of mine after ages. Like all Pakistanis, I started whining about my sky-high expenses and stagnated salary. However, he looked very happy.

Upon inquiring, he told me that he is spending money wisely and strategically. He sets aside a certain percentage every month, let’s say 20% of the total monthly income, and invests that amount into multiple investment opportunities like purchase a plot or plot file. As a result, he is not only gaining financial freedom but is also saving up for his future.

I fell in love with this idea at that instant. The idea is simple yet so effective. With small monthly deposits, you can save thousands of rupees every month. I personally researched this area and compiled a list of tried and tested investment opportunities in Pakistan. All these ideas require little investment but the ROI (return on investment) is significant.

If you are someone who is also looking for side hustles and best investment options in Pakistan, or why you should invest in real estate then this article is for you.

Investment Opportunities in Pakistan

Investment Type	Money Needed to Start the Investment	Return on Investment
1. Real Estate	As low as Rs. 10 lac	Variable. It can start at 16%
2. Peer to Peer Lending	As low as Rs. 10,000	Variable
3. Investment in Stocks	As low as Rs. 10	The average return is 10%. However, it can differ
4. Invest in Banks and Investment Companies	As low as Rs. 10,000	Variable
5. Gold	Rs. 93,400 for one tola	Variable
6. Forex	As low as Rs. 1000	Variable
7. Bonds	As low as Rs. 100	Rs. 700,000
8. 3D Printing	As low as Rs. 150,000	Variable
9. Savings Account	As low as Rs.500	Variable (4.15% to 11%)
10. Retirement Plans	Depends on your company policy	Variable
11. Invest in your Skills	No to minimum	Variable, depending on your skillset
12. Certificate of Deposit	As low as Rs.500	Variable

1. Real Estate

This is one of the most famous and widely practiced investment ideas in Pakistan. People buy property, especially land, and leave it for some time. Over time, the price of real estate appreciates. Keep a track of the market prices and sell the property when the prices are at their peak. There are some really good real estate blogs or real estate books out there that update you about real estate trends, tips and tricks, and much, much more.

The best thing about real estate investment in Pakistan is that it is a safe investment option. You get total ownership of the property and most importantly, the land is an asset whose price always increases. Moreover, the market for real estate is improving at an increasing rate. That means you can expect greater returns and wider scope in real estate.

If you cannot afford real estate on your own, try getting the property on installments, through loans or a partnership with trustworthy people. One drawback of this investment is that the returns might take time and if you are looking for a short-term investment, then this option may not be feasible for you.

But, an important aspect that must be kept in mind at all times is that a real estate is a safe option that yields higher returns, making it an excellent option for small investments.

If you are looking for investment opportunities in real estate, consider investing in houses, flats, plots, or shops. All these assets will provide great yields in the form of resale value and rents. If you are confused between investing in a house or apartment read: house vs apartment where you should invest.

Some of the real estate projects where you can invest are Mall of Arabia, Amazon Outlet Mall, Florence Galleria, and Imarat Builders Mall that are starting from as low as 17 Lac. If you are looking for secure investments with guaranteed returns, you should check out these projects.

2. Peer to Peer Lending

This investment idea in Pakistan is peer to peer lending. According to Investopedia, peer-to-peer (P2P) lending enables individuals to obtain loans directly from other individuals, cutting out the financial institution as an intermediary. If you are someone who has some cash stacked inside the bank, let’s say 1 lac or even Rs. 50,000, you can multiply that cash. Yes, you heard me right.

Give your money to people with an interest rate. Set the time duration for the lending, and you are good to go. However, this idea is risky but with high ROI. Try giving money to people you know and trust and never forget to document the lending process. If you want to reach your peers consider these Facebook marketing ideas to reach.

3. Invest in Stocks

This is one of the best investment opportunities in Pakistan. Try investing in the stock market. If you do not have knowledge about stocks, try hiring a broker. The average stock return is usually 10% in Pakistan. That means if you invest Rs. 1000 in stock, it will give you Rs. 1100 after some time, and sometimes within hours.

However, again, like peer to peer lending, stocks are risky. You have to be well aware and strategic about your choice of stocks. Try building a portfolio of stocks to reduce the overall risk. Usually, the pricy stocks yield high ROI, but they also have a high risk attached to them. So, choose wisely! We do not want you to lose your money.

If you are confused between investment in stocks and real estate, we suggest you give a read to real estate vs stocks- where to invest in?.

4. Invest in Banks and Investment Companies

This is one of the cheapest business opportunities in Pakistan with low investment. Open a bank account and deposit a small amount in it. Start investing in the account every month. Banks usually offer 10% to 12% annual returns. Do a little research and select the bank that suits you the best. There are many investment companies in Pakistan as well that are giving high returns e.g. Lakson investments, PMIC, and vice versa.

5. Gold

The prices of gold are increasing day by day. The recent price of one tola gold is Rs. 93,400. Last year, its price was around Rs68,000. You can clearly see the difference between the prices and the ratio of returns you can expect. So, try to invest in gold. Buy gold biscuits because they generate maximum returns. Similarly, you can also invest in diamonds and silver (Chandi).

6. Forex

Forex trading means trading of different currencies. This is also a great investment opportunity because of its convenience and ease. Study the trends in currencies, keep yourself updated with the latest currency rates and financial situations, and try to invest accordingly.

For example, consider the example of the American dollar and Kuwaiti dinars. In 2018, the average price of one dollar was Rs. 140, and the price of a Kuwaiti dinar was Rs. 400. Today, the prices are Rs. 156 and Rs. 512, respectively. Just like gold, currencies are an excellent investment option.

7. Bonds

This is an investment idea that is highly dependent on your luck. The Government of Pakistan issues treasury bonds starting from merely Rs. 100. Get those and regularly check them for prizes. If you are lucky, you may win cash prizes of thousands of rupees.

For example, the first cash prize for a bond of Rs. 750 is around Rs. 15 million. See the amount of effort you are putting, and imagine the rewards you are getting.

And the best thing? You can always use bonds as a substitute for cash. Student bonds are one of the safest and easiest investment ideas for students in Pakistan.

8. 3D Printing

Another way to invest your money is to get a 3D printer. You can start your own 3D printing business from Rs.150,000. It is a new field but it has a lot of scope in the market. 3D printer is excellent for customization. You can make jewelry, decoration pieces, mugs, prototypes, etc.

Every sector uses 3D technology including education, fashion, retail, medical, games, entertainment and vice versa. In short, there is a bright future of 3D printing in Pakistan.

9. Savings Account

What is a savings account?

A savings account is a basic type of bank account that allows you to deposit money, keep it safe, and withdraw funds, all while earning interest. Savings accounts offered by most banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions are FDIC insured and typically pay interest on your deposits.

A savings account is an excellent option for people who do not have huge upfront capital. It is a perfect money-saving opportunity for people such as students, elderly people, housewives, and children.

You can start your savings account with a mere investment of Rs.500. The bank saving account interest rate Pakistan varies from 4.15% to 11%. This means that if you deposit Rs.500 in your account, you are going to get Rs.556 with 11% interest.

Simply, open your account, deposit small amounts of cash every month and earn returns on your savings. Some of the best savings accounts in Pakistan include the HBL savings account, Standard Chartered savings account, national savings, etc.

Get to know banks providing home loans in Pakistan.

The biggest advantage of a savings account includes minimum financial risk or loss. So, if you are a risk-averse person, you should definitely take into account this investment idea. The return on investment that you get maybe less but at least your money will be secure and you will not have to incur financial losses.

10. Retirement Plans

Usually, companies offer employer-sponsored retirement plans to their employees. If you are a salaried person and your company is offering such opportunities, avail them today.

It is one of the most convenient and easiest ways to invest a small amount of money every month. The best thing about this investment is that not only are you adding money in the account, the company is also contributing to your account. At the end of every month, the company does a payroll deduction and allocates a percentage of your paycheck to go to the retirement plan.

It is okay if your employer does not offer such retirement plans. You can still start your own retirement plan. One of the main reasons why people opt for retirement plans is because of all the tax benefits attached to it. The income earned on your investments will not be subject to income tax until you retire and begin withdrawing money.

11. Invest in your Skills

We bet you didn’t think about your skills as an investment opportunity. If you have any skill, make use of it. Polish your skill sets and earn handsome returns in no time.

For example, if you are good at math, start tutoring online. There are sites who will pay you per hour for your services. If you know how to cook and bake, start your food business today. If you consider yourself a wordsmith, start earning from freelancing sites.

The options are unlimited. All you need to do is identify your skillset and the things you love doing and earn through them.

12. Certificate of Deposit

A certificate issued by a bank to a person depositing money for a specified length of time at a specified rate of interest.

CD is a financial instrument that is usually offered by almost every bank in Pakistan. You deposit your money in the bank for a specific duration and earn a premium in return. If you are looking for a low-risk investment in Pakistan that also yields good returns, a certificate of deposits might work perfectly for you.

However, one downside of this investment is that you may not be able to withdraw money from the bank for a certain amount of time. But if you are interested in long term investment, a certificate of deposit can be your best friend.

So, this was a compiled list of investment ideas in Pakistan. It will give a roadmap and an idea to you about where to invest a small amount of money in Pakistan. All these ideas are really simple and easy to start. Some of them may be a little risky, such as stocks, but they are a perfect source of a high return on investment in Pakistan. This is the era of science and technology. Follow some of the real estate’s podcast to get all the updates about this mega-industry.

Disclaimer:

None of the information published in this article should be construed as investment advice. We strongly advise our readers to always do their due diligence before investing in any project. It is the reader’s responsibility to know the laws regarding investments in their region.