KABUL, April 30 (Xinhua) -- The Afghan government has approved 19 major development projects worth 2.8 billion afghanis (about 44.46 million U.S. dollars) aimed at strengthening infrastructure and expanding telecommunication services across the country, the office of the deputy prime minister for economic affairs announced on Thursday.

The national procurement commission, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, reviewed 26 proposals before green-lighting the 19 key initiatives, according to the office's statement.

The initiatives span critical sectors including telecommunications, road construction, electricity transmission and distribution, and other essential infrastructure. All initiatives are fully funded by the Afghan government's domestic budget, it said.

The projects are expected to deliver significant economic impact by improving public services and creating much-needed employment opportunities for local communities as the country continues its slow recovery from decades of conflict and economic hardship.

The approval reflects the Afghan government's ongoing efforts to rebuild war-ravaged infrastructure and stimulate economic activity through self-financed development programs. ■