Top 12 Small Investment Opportunities in Pakistan 2022

With Pakistan’s economy currently struggling through a bout of high inflation, there has been an intensified focus on diversifying one’s investments to mitigate the impact. In spite of common belief, large capital is not a prerequisite to being a successful investor; one can build a solid portfolio with just a small investment as well. 

Graana.com, Pakistan’s smartest property portal, has outlined the top investment opportunities in Pakistan to help you ride out the volatility in the market and gain financial stability instead, but if you’re looking for an investment advisor’s help, we’ve got you covered for that too.

Short-Term vs. Long-Term Invest Opportunities in Pakistan

Understanding the different factors involved in both short-term and long-term investment plans in Pakistan can help you decide the right option for yourself. 

Short-term investments come with minimal to no risk; you would not lose any amount of your principal. They are usually highly liquid, so you have full access to your money whenever you may need it. However, the safety of such investments comes at a cost.

They come with lower returns than those from investments associated with a higher level of risk. The choices for investment options are also limited, for instance, you would not be able to buy stocks as they are riskier assets.

In addition, it is important to note that inflation can erode the purchasing power of the money stashed in low-risk investments over time – thus, only making them suitable for the short term. 

In contrast, higher-risk investments offer the potential for much higher long-term returns. However, it is important to consider that you may incur a small loss at some point in such investments. 

If the aim is to protect your capital and maintain a steady flow of income, short-term investments are the more appropriate option. If you are looking for growth opportunities, high-risk investments can bring in more attractive returns.

Top Investment Opportunities in Pakistan

1. Real Estate

For an option for high-return investment in Pakistan, real estate is one of the most popular and widely-used opportunities. People buy property, especially land, and leave it unattended for a period of time. Over the years, the price of real estate appreciates. It can then be resold when it commands a much higher price.  

Keep a track of the market prices and sell the property when the prices are at their peak. There are many real estate blogs and real estate books out there that can update you about real estate trends, construction costs, tips and tricks, plot size conversion, and much more.

The biggest advantage of 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 where the price always increases. If you are looking for business ideas in Pakistan, consider investing in houses, flats, plots, or shops. All these assets will provide great yields in the form of resale value and rents. 

There are also many construction companies developing real estate projects in Pakistan, in which you can invest. Some of these include Mall of Arabia, Amazon Outlet Mall, Florence Galleria, and IMARAT Residences – all of which provide secure investments with excellent returns.

If you cannot afford real estate on your own, you can even buy a property in installments through loans or a partnership with other people. However, one drawback of this investment is that it may take time to gain returns. So, if you are looking for a short-term investment, this option may not be feasible for you.

2. Peer-to-Peer Lending

According to Investopedia, peer-to-peer (P2P) lending enables individuals to obtain loans directly from other individuals, cutting out financial institutions as an intermediary.

If you are someone who has some cash deposited in the bank – let’s say Rs. 1 lac or even Rs. 50,000 – you can multiply that cash by lending it to others at an interest rate. You can decide on an appropriate rate and time period. 

This is one of the riskier investment options in Pakistan, but it comes with a high ROI. You can begin by lending money to people you know and trust. It is also important to always document the details of the loan. 

 3. Stocks

Stocks rank high among good investment opportunities in Pakistan. The Pakistani stock market recently claimed its highest profits in 10 years at an aggregate amount of Rs. 258 billion.

However, again, like peer-to-peer lending, stocks are risky. But, it is also seen that stocks as investments always go great. You have to be well aware and strategic about your choice of stocks. Try building a wider portfolio of stocks to reduce the overall risk.

Usually, the pricier stocks have a higher risk attached to them but they also yield high ROI. If you do not have any prior knowledge about the stock market, try hiring a broker.

 4. 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 etc.

 5. Gold

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As the Pakistani rupee continues to free fall against the dollar, gold has emerged as a particularly safe asset to invest in. Gold prices recently hit an all-time high of Rs. 143,600 per tola (11.66 grams) in Pakistan.

It is predicted that gold prices will continue to rise as a hedge against inflation. Hence, investing in gold biscuits can generate promising returns. This is also a better option than silver since silver prices have remained unchanged in the current economic cycle. 

 6. Forex

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Forex trading refers to the trading of different currencies. Forex trading 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 dinar. 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 around Rs. 201 and Rs. 657 respectively. Just like gold, currencies are an excellent investment option.

 7. Bonds

Treasury bonds are a safe investment option with a fixed rate of interest that is paid in phases until the bond’s maturity. The steady returns can help offset the unpredictability of equity prices.

The Government of Pakistan issues treasury bonds starting from merely Rs. 100, with a current yield of 13.257%. You win cash prizes of thousands of rupees. You can also use bonds as a substitute for cash. Student bonds are one of the safest and easiest investment ideas for students in Pakistan. 

Since bonds are guaranteed by the government, there are very low chances for any inefficiencies or risks in the payouts.  

 8. 3D Printing

Another way to invest your money is to get a 3D printer. You can start your own 3D printing business with just Rs. 150,000. It is a relatively new field but it has a lot of scope in the market.

3D printers are excellent for customization, for example, you can make jewelry, decoration pieces, mugs, prototypes, etc. Every sector uses 3D technology, including education, fashion, retail, medical, games, entertainment, etc.

Hence, this is one of the most effective investment opportunities in Pakistan.

9. Savings Account

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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 are offered by most banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions that are insured by the FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation). 

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

You can start your savings account with a small investment. For example, some banks only require an initial deposit of Rs. 100. The bank saving account interest rate in 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. 

You need to simply open an account, deposit small amounts of cash every month and earn returns on your savings. There are many esteemed banks that offer a monthly investment plan in Pakistan, including the HBL savings account, Standard Chartered savings account etc. 

The biggest advantage of a savings account includes minimum financial risk or loss. If you are looking for low-risk investment opportunities, you can take this option into account. The return on investment that you get may be less compared to other options, but at least your money will be secure and you will not have to incur any financial losses.

10. Retirement Plans

Usually, companies offer employer-sponsored retirement plans to their employees. It is one of the most convenient and easiest ways to invest a small amount of money every month. The biggest advantage of this investment option is that not only do you have to add just a minimum amount of money to the account, but the company also contributes a similar amount to your account.

At the end of each month, the company deducts a specified percentage from your paycheck and allocates it to your retirement plan. 

Even if your company currently does not offer such benefits, you can still start your own retirement plan. One of the main reasons why people opt for retirement plans is because of the various tax benefits attached to them.

The income earned on your investments will not be subject to any income tax until you retire and withdraw your money.

 11. Personal Skills

It is often overlooked that investing in yourself can, in fact, bring the best dividends. If you have any particular skill, you can easily reap economic benefits from it. 

For example, if you are good at maths (or any other subject), you can start tutoring students online. There are now many online platforms that can pay you for your services on an hourly basis. Similarly, if you know how to cook, you can start a small-scale food business.

If you are skilled in content writing, you can start earning from freelancing sites. There are several such online opportunities that have promoted many business opportunities in Pakistan. 

The options are unlimited. All you need to do is identify your skillset, invest in polishing them, and earn through related work.

 12. Certificate of Deposit

A certificate of deposit is 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 predetermined time duration and earn a premium in return. If you are looking for a low-risk investment opportunity in Pakistan that also yields good returns, a certificate of deposit is a good option. 

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

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.

Best Investment in Pakistan: Final Verdict

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While there are several options available to invest and earn in Pakistan, real estate is a distinct asset class that can maximize the returns of an investment. It strengthens cash flow over time; helps build equity; and lowers risk through diversification (with options for investing in physical properties or real estate investment trusts).

It also serves as a hedge against inflation due to its positive relationship with GDP growth; as economies grow, there is a higher demand for real estate. This, in turn, drives higher capital values. 

Although real estate may not be as liquid as other investment options, like stocks, the long-term returns provide a passive flow of income and higher chances of appreciation.

Most importantly, it should also be considered that while the real estate market certainly has fluctuated often, it has never actually declined over time. In contrast, financial markets like stocks can even collapse, as can be expected from assets that are not flexible.

If you are looking for more advice on where to invest money in Pakistan, visit our blog. Our portal also has thousands of property listings from all across Pakistan, if you are looking to invest in real estate today.  

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.