On 12 August 2002, the International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes (“ICSID” or “the Center”) received from Salini Costruttori S.P.A. and Italstrade S.P.A., both companies incorporated under the laws of Italy (the “Claimants”) a request for arbitration, dated 8 August 2002, against the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (“Jordan” or the “Respondent”). On 15 August 2002, the Center, in accordance with Rule 5 of the ICSID Rules of procedure for the institution of conciliation and arbitration proceedings (“the Institution Rules”) acknowledged receipt of the request and on the same day transmitted a copy to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and to its Embassy in Washington, D.C.