KOTA KINABALU: The implementation of the air and land vaccinated travel lane (VTL) between Malaysia and Brunei will give a ray of hope to neighbouring Sabah to rejuvenate its ailing tourism industry.

Sabah Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Satta) chairman Datuk Seri Winston Liaw said the VTL could also help reunite separated families due to the then Movement Control Order (MCO).

"The VTL will also open up the business channel and trading for the small and medium enterprises (SME) and therefore, enhance economy of the two countries," said Liaw in welcoming Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and the Sultan of Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah on reaching an agreement to implement the VTL.

The consensus would also see the revival the economic sector as well as recognition of MySejahtera and BruHealth applications in both countries.

Liaw also urged the prime minister to visit China where he said a policy similar to VTL could be implemented to help save thousands of entrepreneurs from bankruptcy.

He suggested for Bruneians to travel to Kuala Lumpur via Sabah which in turn could help boost the latter's tourism industry and urged Ismail Sabri to reopen the international borders by early March as proposed by National Recovery Council (NRC) chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.