Abstract
The increasing involvement of subnational governments in international cooperation has positioned economic paradiplomacy as an important instrument for promoting regional development and enhancing the international competitiveness of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). This study examines the economic paradiplomacy practices of the West Java Provincial Government through its cooperation with Heilongjiang Province, China, and analyzes how such cooperation contributes to MSME internationalization within a multilevel governance framework. Employing a descriptive qualitative approach, this study utilizes secondary data collected from government documents, policy reports, academic publications, and official media releases. The findings reveal that the West Java–Heilongjiang partnership has evolved beyond a conventional sister-province arrangement into a structured mechanism of economic cooperation implemented through business matching, investment promotion, technology exchange, and institutional networking. The study further demonstrates that multilevel governance facilitates coordination among governmental institutions, business actors, and supporting organizations, enabling local enterprises to access international markets and strengthen their export readiness. Although measurable economic outcomes remain at an early stage, the cooperation has created institutional conditions that support MSME capacity development and long-term international engagement. This study contributes to the paradiplomacy literature by demonstrating that economic paradiplomacy functions not only as a form of subnational external engagement but also as a development-oriented governance strategy that strengthens regional competitiveness and supports sustainable local economic development.