Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has begun a state visit to Zimbabwe, meeting President Robert Mugabe.

A communique issued by the Zimbabwe Iran Joint Commission said ministers of the two nations noted their commitment to "the promotion of peace and stability in their respective regions" and welcomed Iran's proposals to host a nuclear international disarmament conference.

Ahmadinejad, who is one of President Robert Mugabe's dwindling number of international allies, is there to officiate at the signing of bilateral cooperation agreements and open a trade exposition.

At a joint media conference after a signing ceremony, Mugabe said the two countries share the same policy of " anti imperialist, anti colonialist and a stance to protect our sovereignty and our right of ownership of our resources."

Iran is the biggest exhibitor at a trade exposition Ahmadinejad is scheduled to open in the second city of Bulawayo on Friday.

He is the first leader from outside the African continent to open the exposition since independence from British colonial era rule in 1980.

He is scheduled to visit an Iranian-funded textile firm in Harare and a vehicle assembly plant, and Mugabe will host a state dinner for the Iranian leader.