Saudi Arabia’s strict adherence to moral values has helped fuel the country’s economic growth, according to a visiting European official.

Pal Volner, Hungarian minister of state for infrastructure, who heads a business delegation, said countries need to follow the Kingdom’s example.

The minister met with various Saudi officials including Riyadh Governor Prince Khalid bin Bandar. He is here at the invitation of the Saudi Minister of Transport to explore business opportunities, with a special focus on engineering works, railways and aviation.

He said Hungary would sign an agreement soon with the Saudi government on airport-related business, including training and technology transfers.

He said the Hungarian prime minister would head a delegation attending the upcoming meeting of the Saudi-Hungarian Business Council in February in Riyadh. He said he was here to lay the groundwork for the meeting.

Volner said Hungarian businesses want to get involved in several large projects including the construction of the metro railway in Riyadh. He said the economic crisis in Europe had forced Hungarian businesses to look elsewhere for opportunities.

The minister said Hungary was similar to Saudi Arabia because of its focus on moral values. “We are a country with values and believe in the role of the family in society. We have a constitution that protects values and morals and now we have to return to traditional values ...”

“We think that the economic and financial crisis stems originally from a moral crisis,” the minister said in reference to the economic conditions in Europe.

The minister also underlined the importance of Saudi Arabia’s contribution to global dialogue. “Dialogue between various religions is helping to bring about comprehensive peace in the world,” he said.