MSCI is the abbrivated form of sulfur, coal, ironsand mineral etc. As Bentusun's subsidiary, MSCI SBU is mainly dealing with mineral in the international market.
The law was passed to define and restrain presidential power, which until then had been interpreted expansively under the Trading with the Enemy Act of 1917.
Thus, while many goods that are declining in price are not counted when measuring the cost of living, common goods that are increasing in price are measured.
The 1689 Treaty of Nerchinsk had granted Russia trading rights with China, but it also closed Russia off from the Sea of Okhotsk, forcing Peter to find another outlet to the Pacific.