Organization of the LAR: foundation of BITLAR
On April 20, 1984 the co-operative society BITLAR (Managing Company of the International Transport Centre LAR) was founded for the management of the Transport Centre. Main purpose:
"the performance of all functions regarding the overall, coordinating management of the entire centre, including its representation, development and global promotion."
The Society consists of two groups of partners :
- the first group (partners A) is composed of Public Institutions and Official Bodies : the Municipalities of Menen and Courtray, the intermunicipal Organization Leiedal and the POM (Provincial Development Company) West-Flanders;
- the second group (partners B) is composed of all companies active at LAR. The compulsory association is one of the contractual conditions for selling a site.
The first group represents the capital invested by the authorities and the public efforts to create LAR . The second group grows along with LAR, and represents the private initiative which gives LAR its force, individual character and vitality.
The interaction and coherence between these two groups is a guarantee for the objectivity, flexibility and professionalism which accompany the development of LAR.
- celebration 20 years Bitlar 1984-2004 -
BITLAR is the interlocutor for negotiations with the Customs Administration, the N.M.B.S. (National Railway Company of Belgium), the Road Administration, the respective Municipalities, etc., and also the representative body in external relations and for the promotion of the Transport Centre.
Early 1992, the Municipality of Menen put premises at BITLAR's disposal in the buildings of the cattle market of LAR.