A report has identified 16 companies from across the developing world that are best showing how to grow profits at the same time as actively¹ tackling environmental and social challenges.

一份报告列出了发展中国家的16家公司，这些公司以能和谐处理盈利、解决环境和社会问题之间的关系而闻名。

The study by the World Economic Forum² (WEF) pinpointed³ firms in countries as diverse as Costa Rica, Egypt and China.

The WEF said it showed that global "green" businesses were not the only ones with sustainability credentials⁴.

The report looked at 1,000 companies in the developing world.

'Positively⁵ influence'

Co-authored by management consultants⁶ Boston Consulting Group (BCG), the study said the findings were doubly interesting "given the challenges faced by emerging market companies which often have to deal with multiple problems".

It said these local difficulties ranged from substandard infrastructure⁷ and weak environmental regulatory regimes, to acute talent shortages and underdeveloped governance practices.

One of the companies highlighted in the New Sustainability Champions report was Filipino firm Manila Water.

The report said the utility company was using community partnerships⁸, watershed⁹（流域，分水岭） management, and flexible payment options to boost access to clean water.

Another business to make the 16 best performers was Kenya's Equity¹⁰ Bank, which the study said had pioneered mobile banking¹¹ in its nation's rural areas.

"While demonstrating superior industry performance and operational efficiency, the New Sustainability Champions innovate¹² to overcome the real constraints¹³ that they face," said Knut Haanaes, a BCG partner.

"They proactively engage with all stakeholder groups and positively influence their environments.

"As a result, they generate steady profitable growth and are role models for their regions and industries."

The report comes as the World Economic Forum continues to meet in Dalian, China.