Brasília, 18 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Yesterday the Monetary Policy Committee announced a reduction of the basic interest rate (Selic), from 18.5% to 18%. Copom's explanation for the reduction is confidence in the Brazilian economy and estimates for lower than expected inflation next year; below the government's target. The government has increased its inflation ceiling target to 4%, and raised the acceptable variation from give or take 2 percentage points, to 2.5 percentage points. (AB)