Soca star Machel Montano should be leading the charge in selling Trinidad and Tobago internationally, says Planning and Development Minister Bhoendradatt Tewarie.

Speaking to the Express at the Grand Stand at the Queen's Park Savannah, Port of Spain yesterday, Tewarie said this will be his proposal when the discussion comes up at Cabinet.

Montano copped the Digicel Power Soca Monarch and Play Whe Groovy Soca Monarch titles on Fantastic Friday, taking home $2.5 million.

Last year he bagged the government-sponsored one-off $2 million prize with his Soca Monarch victory and this year he's also a strong contender for the Road March title.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Government Ministers have openly supported Montano, with Persad-Bissessar attending his concert last week and sharing the stage with the performer.

Montano was also invited to London last year with other performers where he joined the Prime Minister and her team in marketing this country.

Cricket stars Brian Lara and Daren Ganga and most recently Project Runway winner Anya Ayoung-Chee have been utilised by Government in its initiative to market Trinidad and Tobago.

Tewarie identified Carnival as one of the activities that can attract huge investments through tourism.

"I think we need to focus on value for money almost item by item. The Soca Monarch, for example, is an outstanding success. I think Machel is in a class by himself and he really has no competitors in his class and my own feeling is that we should try to support an external thrust led by Machel in the world outside and with other people hanging on to his coattails in a range of products," said Tewarie.

He said Montano should represent this country not through "talk and presence but actual performance with a diversified group to sell Trinidad and Tobago abroad because he in my view is really top class".

Tewarie, who was observing the Carnival celebrations from the Grand Stand at the Queen's Park Savannah, said kudos must be given to Arts and Multiculturalism Minister, Winston "Gypsy" Peters for the success of Carnival.

"There really is a genuine spirit of freedom in Carnival which is not to be underestimated...having Carnival in a climate of peace is very important and I think that from that point of view in terms of the success of the individual events kudos must be given to Minister Peters," said Tewarie.